Assam, July21,2025:On July 12, 2025, authorities demolished settlements in Paikan Reserve Forest (Gwalpara). Around 1,080 families were displaced
Assam eviction targeting Bengali Muslim communities
Assam eviction targeting Bengali Muslim communities has emerged as a contentious issue, drawing strong reactions from opposition parties, human rights groups, and affected families. Reports suggest thousands of Bengali-origin Muslim households have been displaced across Assam, including in Goalpara (Gwalpara), Dhubri, Nalbari and Lakhimpur districts.
Background: eviction campaigns in Assam
Since mid‑2025, Assam’s BJP government, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, intensified eviction drives to remove alleged encroachments on government and forest land. Over 25,000 acres have been cleared in recent years, impacting more than 50,000 people. . The government claims the actions are part of law enforcement, ecological restoration, and judicial mandates.
The Gwalpara tragedy and fatal police clash
On July 12, 2025, authorities demolished settlements in Paikan Reserve Forest (Gwalpara). Around 1,080 families were displaced. On July 17, as officials reportedly attempted to block access by digging the road to the eviction site, protests escalated. Police opened fire, injuring several and causing the death of 19‑year‑old Shaukar (Sakowar) Ali near his ear . His family alleges he was shot in the neck region and died immediately; community testimonials confirm multiple injuries to police personnel and protestors alike.
Allegations of demographic engineering
Opposition voices, especially from AIUDF and Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP), argue that eviction targeting Bengali Muslim communities is politically motivated. They claim it aims to alter voter demographics ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections . Senior Congress and student union leaders also raised concerns that Muslim‑majority areas are disproportionately targeted under the guise of forest protection.
Political analysts point out that delimitation and reservation shifts—such as converting one of the two Gwalpara seats to ST reservation—have diluted Muslim electoral strength. Meanwhile, the ruling party has admitted it intends to campaign aggressively in minority areas to boost performance even there .
Opposition and rights‑group reactions
AIUDF leaders have described the drives as “inhumane, unconstitutional, politically motivated,” drawing parallels with Gaza in dramatic terms . The AJP accused the government of using evictions to clear land for corporate projects involving Adani, Ambani, and others . The student body AAMSU warned of bigger protests if displacement continues without rehabilitation . Asom Nagarik Samaj called the firing unlawful and criticized the lack of prior notice or resettlement planning.
A delegation from Jamiat Ulama‑i‑Hind also visited Goalpara, providing temporary shelter and stating that most of the 4,000 demolished homes belonged to Indian citizens, many displaced by river erosion decades ago.
Government and CM’s defense
Chief Minister Sarma defends the eviction as necessary action against illegal encroachment. He maintains notices were issued, and only when people refused to vacate did machinery or force become necessary. He emphasizes that the government has reclaimed over 1.19 lakh bighas (approx. 25,000 acres) since May 2021.
Following local unrest, Sarma warned Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge of possible legal action, accusing them of inciting encroachers during their Assam visit.
Legal challenges and court orders
The eviction campaign followed a Gauhati High Court order on 10 July 2025, directing clearance of land while providing alternative shelter and food until rehabilitation arrangements are in place . Lawyers argue the eviction violated this binding judicial mandate, as no temporary housing or food provisions were delivered prior to demolition . Appeals have been filed in the Supreme Court to reverse forced evictions and demand accountability for officials involved .
Humanitarian and demographic stakes
The affected families—mostly Bengali-speaking Muslims—face immediate challenges: homelessness, lack of food, and a future uncertain. Relatives of Shaukar Ali and local leaders stress the emotional trauma inflicted on women and children and question the fairness of being removed from homes they’ve inhabited for generations, often with land records and revenue payment history .
External Resources for Further Reading
- Times of India: coverage of eviction drives in Assam and political criticisms.
- Economic Times: detailed reports on land cleared and controversies.
- ThePrint: story on the death of Shaukar Ali and aftermath.
The Assam eviction targeting Bengali Muslim communities controversy raises deep questions about governance, communal equity, democracy, and electoral fairness. While the state government frames its actions as lawful land reclamation, evidence and witness accounts suggest systemic targeting, especially of Muslim-majority settlements, without due process or provisions for displaced families. With elections approaching, the political and human rights dimensions of these actions are likely to escalate further.
Let me know if you’d like quotes from legal petitions, demographic election data, or embedded maps.
